Lighting Penetration Depths

munkyboy111 · 02/06/2010, 10:50 AM

What are the maximum penetration depths of the various wattages of MH's? Also, how many watts per gallon is suggested to keep a mixed reef? I've been out of the hobby for a while and am currently designing a new system. I'm trying to gather as much info as possible to build the system right this time around.

munkyboy111 · 02/06/2010, 02:29 PM

Anybody have any input?

munkyboy111 · 02/06/2010, 02:30 PM

I want to get an idea so I don't skimp on the lighting, nor do I want to overkill.

gary faulkner · 02/06/2010, 04:26 PM

What are you looking at using 400, 250, 175?
How deep is you tank and will there be a sand bed?
What type of coral, SPS, LPS or Softies?

t4zalews · 02/08/2010, 03:55 PM

With new reflector designs, I'd say for a mixed reef you could use 250w in pretty much any application. If you have a higher tank I'd recommend lumenbrites, but if not there are plenty of suitable reflectors that could be used.

fwiw...the watt per gallon rule is dated and is not really applicable anymore. Unless you plan on using PC's again.

gary faulkner · 02/08/2010, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t4zalews

With new reflector designs, I'd say for a mixed reef you could use 250w in pretty much any application. If you have a higher tank I'd recommend lumenbrites, but if not there are plenty of suitable reflectors that could be used.

fwiw...the watt per gallon rule is dated and is not really applicable anymore. Unless you plan on using PC's again.

I think it still works pretty well with Halides, just not with T-5.

HTH

02/06/2010, 10:50 AM	#1
munkyboy111 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 71	Lighting Penetration Depths What are the maximum penetration depths of the various wattages of MH's? Also, how many watts per gallon is suggested to keep a mixed reef? I've been out of the hobby for a while and am currently designing a new system. I'm trying to gather as much info as possible to build the system right this time around.

02/06/2010, 02:29 PM	#2
munkyboy111 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 71	Anybody have any input?

02/06/2010, 02:30 PM	#3
munkyboy111 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 71	I want to get an idea so I don't skimp on the lighting, nor do I want to overkill.

02/06/2010, 04:26 PM	#4
gary faulkner Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,468	What are you looking at using 400, 250, 175? How deep is you tank and will there be a sand bed? What type of coral, SPS, LPS or Softies?

02/08/2010, 03:55 PM	#5
t4zalews 65g Ritteri Tank Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Royal Oak, MI Posts: 2,673	With new reflector designs, I'd say for a mixed reef you could use 250w in pretty much any application. If you have a higher tank I'd recommend lumenbrites, but if not there are plenty of suitable reflectors that could be used. fwiw...the watt per gallon rule is dated and is not really applicable anymore. Unless you plan on using PC's again.